Team NZ sails into support local yacht club

A chance encounter during Christchurch’s America’s Cup victory parade has led to some high-level support for the Pleasant Point Yacht Club’s fund-raising efforts.

Pleasant Point Yacht Club lost its club rooms and its boat shed as a result of the September 2010 earthquake and the insurance pay out it subsequently received will not cover the full cost of replacing them.

Grant Dalton with the America's Cup during this year's victory parade.

The club, which was founded in 1921, is working to raise the money to cover the shortfall so it can rebuild its facilities in South New Brighton Park and has managed to enlist the support of Emirates Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton.

Dalton heard about the club’s plight when some of its junior members took part in the America’s Cup victory parade for Emirates Team New Zealand on a bitterly cold and sleety day in July.

During the parade one of the club’s officials, Nigel Humphreys, tapped Dalton on the shoulder and told him about the club’s predicament and the champion yachtsman immediately offered his help.

This weekend some of the Team NZ members, who are currently touring the regions, will make a brief stop in Christchurch for a fundraising gala in support of the yacht club where they will show off the Auld Mug and talk about their successful campaign to win it from Oracle USA

The evening will also include an auction for items such as a helicopter ride with former All Black captain Richie McCaw, double tickets for the final of the 2018 Australian Open, an original Team New Zealand commemorative shirt from 1995 America’s Cup win, and a ride in a dual sulky behind champion horse Monkey King.

Mr Humphreys said the club was thrilled Team New Zealand was taking the time to support a grassroots yacht club to get back on its feet.

“They want to take New Zealand with them into their next defense … and this is their way of paying back the community for the support they get,’’ Mr Humphreys said.

Tickets for the Pleasant Point Yacht Club’s evening with Emirates Team New Zealand, which is being held at the Wigram Air Force Museum at 7pm on Saturday night, can be purchased online. There will be no door sales.